THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

FSB Pine Ridge was a 25th Infantry Division fire support base located on Nui Ong (Hill 284), approximately eight miles northeast of Dau Tieng in Binh Duong Province, RVN. Nui Ong was the highest peak (934 feet) in a nine-mile-long ridgeline running along the western edge of the Michelin Rubber Plantation. At 10:25 PM on April 26, 1970, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry at FSB Pine Ridge received twenty-five rounds of 82mm mortar fire, and ten to fifteen rocket-propelled grenade rounds from an unknown number of enemy. Immediately following the barrage, 10-15 enemy sappers breached the perimeter from the east and proceeded to detonate about twenty-five satchel charges and thirty hand grenades in hooches and bunkers throughout the firebase. The enemy force was engaged with unit weapons, artillery, helicopter gunships, U.S Air Force AC-119 Shadow and AC-47 gunships, and a flare ship. The infiltrators withdrew the same way they came in and contact was lost about 11:50 PM. Four U.S. soldiers were killed and thirteen wounded during the attack. The lost personnel included SSG Darreld E. Fisher, PFC Ronald E. Newman, PFC Robert L. Rogers, and SGT Jose G. Vazquez. Newman and Rogers were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Vazquez was elevated to Staff Sergeant. Enemy losses were one killed. The rampaging enemy destroyed two line bunkers, one radio shack, one medic shack, one command post bunker, two artillery hooches, five sleeping hooches, and one generator shop with four generators. An artillery Fire Direction Center was lightly damaged. One AK-47 rifle and ten to fifteen satchel charges were evacuated. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Corporal Ronald Ellis Newman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V) and Oak Leaf Cluster, for his exemplary gallantry in action. He served as an Infantryman and was assigned to A CO, 2ND BN, 12TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV.
See https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ROHPage&personType=Fallen
See also https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18739300/ronald-ellis-newman

Dear Cpl Ronald Newman, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Today is your 71st birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It’s a New Year, but not necessarily better. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.